# US 7,608,104 B2 · Prostheses, tools and methods for replacement of natural facet joints with artifical facet joint surfaces

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- Number: US 7,608,104 B2
- Document ID: US7608104B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 10/973,834
- Filed: 2004-10-25
- Published: 2005-06-30
- Granted: 2009-10-27
- Earliest claimed: 2003-05-14
- Assignees: Archus Orthopedics, Inc.
- Inventors: Hansen Yuan; Mark A. Reiley; David Stinson; Lawrence R. Jones
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7608104B2

## CPC

- A61F 2/4405: {for apophyseal or facet joints, i.e. between adjacent spinous or transverse processes (devices implanted between spinous or transverse processes A61B17/7062)}
- A61B 17/1757: {for the spine}
- A61F 2/4611: {of spinal prostheses}
- A61B 17/86: Pins or screws {or threaded wires; nuts therefor (A61B17/72 take precedence)}
- A61F 2/442: {Intervertebral or spinal discs, e.g. resilient (non-disc-shaped intervertebral inflatable pockets A61F2/441; non-disc-shaped intervertebral fusion implants A61F2/4455)}
- A61F 2002/30153: {rectangular}
- A61F 2002/30156: {triangular}
- A61F 2002/30242: {spherical}
- A61F 2002/30331: {made by longitudinally pushing a protrusion into a complementarily-shaped recess, e.g. held by friction fit}
- A61F 2002/30332: {Conically- or frustoconically-shaped protrusion and recess}
- A61F 2002/30405: {made by screwing complementary threads machined on the parts themselves}
- A61F 2002/30484: {Mechanically expandable devices located on the first prosthetic part for locking into or onto the second prosthetic part}
- A61F 2002/30495: {using a locking ring}
- A61F 2002/30507: {using a threaded locking member, e.g. a locking screw or a set screw}
- A61F 2002/30614: {Sets comprising both primary and revision endoprostheses}
- A61F 2002/30616: {Sets comprising a plurality of prosthetic parts of different sizes or orientations}
- A61F 2002/30649: {Ball-and-socket joints}
- A61F 2002/30772: {Apertures or holes, e.g. of circular cross section}
- A61F 2002/30795: {Blind bores, e.g. of circular cross-section}
- A61F 2002/30841: {Sharp anchoring protrusions for impaction into the bone, e.g. sharp pins, spikes}
- A61F 2002/30904: {serrated profile, i.e. saw-toothed}
- A61F 2002/4628: {with linear motion along or rotating motion about an axis transverse to the instrument axis or to the implantation direction, e.g. clamping}
- A61F 2002/4629: {connected to the endoprosthesis or implant via a threaded connection}
- A61F 2002/4631: {the prosthesis being specially adapted for being cemented}
- A61F 2002/4635: {using minimally invasive surgery}
- A61F 2220/0025: Connections or couplings between prosthetic parts, e.g. between modular parts; Connecting elements
- A61F 2220/0033: made by longitudinally pushing a protrusion into a complementary-shaped recess, e.g. held by friction fit
- A61F 2230/0019: rectangular
- A61F 2230/0023: triangular
- A61F 2230/0071: spherical
- A61F 2310/00017: Iron- or Fe-based alloys, e.g. stainless steel
- A61F 2310/00023: Titanium or titanium-based alloys, e.g. Ti-Ni alloys
- A61F 2310/00029: Cobalt-based alloys, e.g. Co-Cr alloys or Vitallium
- A61F 2310/00047: Aluminium or Al-based alloys
- A61F 2310/00131: Tantalum or Ta-based alloys
- A61F 2310/00179: Ceramics or ceramic-like structures
- A61F 2310/00796: Coating or prosthesis-covering structure made of a phosphorus-containing compound, e.g. hydroxy(l)apatite
- A61F 2310/0097: Coating or prosthesis-covering structure made of pharmaceutical products, e.g. antibiotics
- A61F 2310/00976: Coating or prosthesis-covering structure made of proteins or of polypeptides, e.g. of bone morphogenic proteins BMP or of transforming growth factors TGF
- A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C)
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)

## Abstract

Cephalad and caudal vertebral facet joint prostheses and methods of use are provided. The cephalad prostheses are adapted and configured to be attached to a lamina portion of a vertebra without blocking a pedicle portion of the cephalad vertebra.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for implanting a spinal prosthesis, comprising:
forming a passage from a first side of a lamina or a spinous process completely through to a second side of the lamina or the spinous process;
advancing a distal end of a fastening element from the first side to the second side until a proximal stop of the fastening element rests against the first side; and
securing a bearing prosthesis to the distal end of the fastening element by inserting the distal end of the fastening element into the bearing prosthesis, wherein the securing step is performed by expanding the fastening element into an opening in the bearing prosthesis.

### Claim 2

A method for implanting a spinal prosthesis, comprising:
forming a passage from a first side of a lamina or a spinous process completely through to a second side of the lamina or the spinous process;
advancing a distal end of a fastening element from the first side to the second side until a proximal stop of the fastening element rests against the first side; and
securing a bearing prosthesis to the distal end of the fastening element by expanding the fastening element into an opening in the bearing prosthesis.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The method according to claim 2 wherein the forming step and the advancing step are performed percutaneously.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The method according to claim 3 wherein the securing step is performed percutaneously.

### Claim 5 (depends on 2)

The method according to claim 2 wherein the step of placing a distal collar between the bearing and the fastening element is performed before the securing step.

### Claim 6 (depends on 2)

The method according to claim 2 further comprising providing a reinforcing material to distribute forces applied to the first side.

### Claim 7 (depends on 2)

The method according to claim 2 further comprising providing a reinforcing material to distribute forces applied to the second side.